Donation Types

Blood Donation

There is no substitute for blood. One pint of blood can save several lives. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body's organs and tissues. Platelets promote blood clotting. Cancer, transplant, trauma, and surgery patients are a few reasons why blood donation is important and it does save lives. To learn more about blood donation contact your local Red Cross office or visit The Red Cross website.

Bone Marrow Donation

Patients with leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening diseases may be treated by a bone marrow transplant. Bone marrow transplant is a type of living donation. For many of these patients, a transplant may be the best and only hope of a cure. To learn more, visit one of the following links:

Eye Donation

Corneal transplants are the oldest and most successful tissue transplant procedure. Many diseases can cause the cornea (the eye's front 'windowpane') to become cloudy resulting in poor vision or total blindness.

Whole globe donation allows the eye bank to provide the white part of the eye for use in patients who have had their whole eye removed due to injury or disease.

The lens and other structures of the eye can be used for Saving Sight research.

To learn more about eye donation or how to become an eye donor, visit the following links:

Kidney Donation

Kidney transplants are the most common organ transplant in the United States. Kidneys fail due to diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure (hypertension). A kidney transplant can eliminate the need for dialysis and is life-saving. Learn more. For brochures about kidney donation, click here.

Kidney Paired Donation

Kidney paired donation (KPD) is a transplant option for candidates who have a living donor who is medically able, but cannot donate a kidney to their intended candidate because they are incompatible (i.e., poorly matched). Check at your transplant facility for the opportunity for a paired donation, if your living donor isn’t a match. Additional information including a brochure and KPD related videos can be found at: https://www.unos.org/donation/kidney-paired-donation/.

Willed Body Donation

There are several Willed Body programs. Each program differs slightly. It is best to call and prearrange any gifts of body donation to science, research or education. Questions to ask when choosing a facility: